CFB ISD finance chief outlines budget pressures, HB2 timing and pause on raises until state dollars arrive

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD financial leadership briefed the board on June 5 about the district’s fiscal position, the effects of recent state legislation and the district’s plan for possible compensation increases.

Key point: Miss Settles (district finance) said the district is planning conservatively and will not make raises effective before the additional state funding from House Bill 2 is available; the law’s funding provisions do not take effect until Sept. 1, and staff recommended aligning any permanent compensation increases with those dollars to avoid unplanned expenditures.

What was presented: Settles reviewed revenue pressures including local tax adjustments tied to state homestead‑exemption changes and a significant prior federal audit and cost‑report review that reduced charge revenue. She summarized preliminary models suggesting the district could receive meaningful additional state aid under HB2 but that much of the increase is directed to specified compensation allotments and special‑education requirements.

Trustee questions and clarifications: Trustees asked which non‑teacher roles are eligible for the HB2 non‑teaching allotment; Settles listed examples mentioned in the law: nurses, counselors, custodians and bus drivers, and clarified that district and campus administration (principals and central supervisors) are excluded from the non‑teaching allotment. Trustees also asked about timing: administration said any compensation increase would be set to take effect only once the state funding is received and recognized in district accounting.

Context and next steps: staff will continue budget development, provide a legislative presentation in August to explain final impacts, and prepare an August budget amendment if necessary to reflect any confirmed new state funding.